KNIGHT WATCH

DOES THE DOWN ECONOMY HAVE AN UPSIDE?

2009-11-14T07:50:49-08:00

Men’s underwear sales supposedly predict the state of the economy. Usually sales are stable, with men buying an average of 3.4 pairs yearly; but during bad economic times, men put off buying new underwear. Sales began to slow in 2008 when the recession took hold. From 2004 to 2008 the number of men buying one pair at a time increased from 5% to 8%. Sales are expected to fall another 2.3% in 2009. However, in 2010 sales are expected to fall only 0.5%, showing the economy is moving in the right direction – in boxers and in briefs.

Alligators enjoy the recession because there’s less conspicuous consumption by people who can afford expensive accessories. The demand for alligator handbags and boots dropped approximately 40% worldwide between 2008’s first quarter and 2009’s first quarter. The demand for alligator watchbands dropped approximately 80%. Although alligator farmers previously took 500,000 eggs from swamps and marshes, in 2009 they’re expected to take only 30,000. Harvesting adult alligators is expected to be a fraction of 2008’s 35,500. In 2007 Louisiana alligator farmers and hunters made $71 million. In 2009 they’re expected to make $10 million. It’s their turn to be skinned.

Angela Logan was studying nursing when her house went into foreclosure. That’s when the 55-year-old, divorced, mother of 3 turned to her hobby of baking. She resolved to sell 100 Mortgage Apple cakes at $40 each in 10 days to meet her mortgage payment, pay bills and qualify for a federal program to lower mortgage payments. When the Hilton Hotel offered use of its 4 ovens, Logan baked 200 cakes. Now Internet retailer “Bake Me A Wish!” is developing a line of Angela Logan cakes, but Logan isn’t giving up nursing. She’s not putting all her eggs in one … cake.

The United States is no longer the world’s most competitive economy, a position it held from 2006 to 2008. The U.S. was ranked second by a 2009 survey of 131 countries by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum. The survey combined opinions of more than 13,000 business executives with economic statistics and government regulations. Switzerland, because its economic performance has been basically stable, is now the most competitive economy. Singapore ranked third, followed by Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands. Of course, with the U.S. pressuring Switzerland for the names of Americans having secret bank accounts, Switzerland can’t bank on staying #1.

ARE POSITIVE HEALTH STUDIES MORE BELIEVABLE?

2009-11-12T08:56:40-08:00

According to research done at Copenhagen University Hospital, which included more than 2,800 middle-aged men and women, people with skinny thighs had a 50%-100% higher risk of heart disease or premature death during the 12-year study. Those with thighs measuring less than 23.6 inches were at risk. Those with thighs measuring less than 18 inches were at the greatest risk. It’s thought skinny thighs mean a lack of muscle mass and lower body bulk, which are necessary for proper glucose and lipid metabolism, which are key factors for maintaining health. For those without super model bodies this research brings “thighs” of relief.

According to research published in the journal “Science”, it may be possible to erase fearful memories from the brain – a procedure that could help thousands with post-traumatic stress disorder. Fear comes from the amygdala - part of the brain that isn’t logical. It just reacts. When the molecular sheath protecting the amygdada in rats was chemically dissolved, the rats forgot fear of a sound they’d been conditioned to associate with being electrically shocked. Because human brain cells have similar sheaths, similar results could be expected. For those suffering with PTSD, panic disorders or phobias, finding a cure is a rat race.

According to a study done at Catholic University in Campobasso Italy, the polyphenols and tannins in red wine limit the toxic effects of radiation for women after breast cancer surgery. The protective effects of varying levels of self-reported, red wine consumption by 348 women were evaluated. The incidence of radiation-induced skin toxicity was 38.4% with non-drinkers, 31.8% with half a glass daily and 13.6% with 1 glass daily. The good news is red wine may be beneficial with other types of radiated tumors. The bad news is 2 glasses of red wine provided little benefit – not twice the benefit.

According to a study done at Stamford University School of Medicine, fat cells removed by liposuction can be turned into induced pluripotent stem cells. Like stem cells from embryos, iPS cells can be turned into cells to regenerate organ tissue and repair damage – but without controversy. The first iPS cells were developed in 2007 from skin, but making stem cells from fat takes 2 weeks instead of 8 and less than 6 ounces is needed. Among other things, iPS cells could be used to help heart attack patients and repair skeletal defects – putting new love in love handles.

WHY DO THINGS KEEP CHANGING?

2009-11-10T08:08:33-08:00

General Motors Co. made a change in August 2009. It removed the “Mark of Excellence” logo from its vehicles. Doing that is meant to put less emphasis on GM and more emphasis on its 4 remaining brands. Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC will have just their own logos. GM started putting its logo on all its North American vehicles in 2005, usually putting it on the lower door panel. Supposedly removing it will save GM only a nominal amount of money; but after all the bad publicity the company has received, maybe it will save face.

L.L. Bean, the iconic outdoor equipment and apparel company, has slowly adapted to the change in American lifestyles for 98 years. However, in 2009 L.L. Bean hired 40-year-old designer Alex Carleton to create an updated fit and style for the signature clothing line launching in 2010. Apparel, footwear and accessories will provide a new look for men and women that can be dressed up or down. From its humble beginnings in Maine as a small, mail order business for hunting shoes, L.L. Bean has grown to have annual sales of $1.5 billion. Obviously, if the shoe fits, wear it.

A study published in the leading, general medical journal, “The Lancet”, found that online therapy via instant messaging with a psychotherapist is a successful change in treating depression. Of the 113 people who had ten, 55-minute sessions of cognitive behavior therapy in addition to usual physician care, 42% recovered from depression – supposedly the same level of benefit as expected from traditional therapy. Although this type of therapy would be able to reach more people, there are questions about state laws, insurance coverage, video for viewing patients’ behavior and encryption for patients’ privacy. Before computer-based therapy is a practical alternative, everything has to compute.

Dolphin hunting season opened in Japan September 1st - but with a change No hunters from the small fishing village Taiji participated. This is attributed to the secretly-filmed documentary “The Cove”, which exposed Taiji’s dolphin hunt. During the 6-month season, thousands of dolphins are trapped in narrow caves. Those that aren’t captured to sell to aquariums and amusement parks are killed for meat. “The Cove” won a Sundance Film Festival award, creating a worldwide outcry against dolphin hunting. Activists applaud 2009’s change, but change requires change. Until the fishing village can change the livelihood it’s always known, it’s not off the hook.

WHAT'S UNHEALTHY FOR GOOD HEALTH?

2009-11-07T07:29:05-08:00

According to an August 2009 announcement by the American Heart Association, sugar – including high fructose corn syrup – is bad for the heart. Women should have no more than 100 calories daily from sugar that’s added to foods and drinks. Men should have no more than 150 of these calories daily. Unfortunately, the average American consumes 375 calories from added sugar daily. In fact, about half the increase in calories in the past 30 years comes from beverages. Twelve ounces of regular cola have about 130 calories of sugar. Is seems Americans aren’t drinking to their health.

According to a study in the journal “Neurology”, people as young as 45 who have high diastolic blood pressure are more likely to have problems with memory. The diastolic number is the bottom number on a blood pressure reading. Blood pressure readings of 140/90 or above are considered high and every 10-point increase in the diastolic number increases the likelihood of memory problems 7%. Thus it’s thought preventing or treating high blood pressure could help prevent memory loss. Considering 1 out of 3 Americans have high blood pressure, 1 out of 3 could have difficulty remembering this.

According to a study published in the journal “Social Science & Medicine”, worry about losing a job is worse for peoples’ health than not having a job. In fact, chronic job insecurity was a stronger predictor of poor health than smoking or hypertension. It’s not just the loss of income that causes this stress; it’s also the loss of health insurance, retirement benefits and peace of mind. Previous research has shown that stress leads to a range of poor health conditions that can shorten life. Of course, other research has shown that job security in a stressful job can shorten life too.

According to Dr. Martin Wiseman of the American Institute for Cancer Research/World Cancer Research Fund, nearly 40% of breast cancer in the U.S. could be prevented. The report, which reviewed 81 new studies on the links between lifestyle and cancer, showed that 70,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented a year if women maintained a healthy weight, drank only 1 alcoholic drink a day, exercised at least 30 minutes a day and breastfed their babies. Breast cancer kills 400,000 women worldwide every year, with 40,000 dying in the U.S. While the government struggles with health care, women can help care for their own health.